Copenhagen: The City Of Fairytales

Updated on March 29, 2009

Fairytales do come true and most seasoned travelers will agree that one of the most fairytale cities in Europe has to be the quaint and lovely Copenhagen. The city of Copenhagen fulfills its visitors’ penchant for fairytales with its Christiansborg and Amalienborg Palaces which literally seem to have sprung out of a children’s book and its Rosenborg Castle, an imposing and thoroughly magnificent structure, not to mention the classic buildings lining the canals which are painted in multicolored pastel hues.

Living up to the fairytale ideal, the renowned little Mermaid statue that sits at Langelinie in Copenhagen is one of the most visited spots in Denmark. This pensive little mermaid sitting by the sea has become Copenhagen’s icon, known around the world for its whimsical beauty. No trip to Copenhagen is complete without going to visit this monument to Denmark’s relationship to the sea.

Copenhagen offers a plethora of unique experiences for both young and old. This city also boasts a number of world class museums including the Statens Museum for Kunst which translates to Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Frilandsmuseet Open Air Museum. The Denmark Aquarium is another popular tourist destination that beckons visitors to come and explore the world of the sea and the many unique and phenomenal creatures it hosts. In this Aquarium you can stroll by more than 285 marine species from all over the world. The exhibition consists of more than 70 aquariums, the largest containing more than 85.000 litres of water.

Perhaps one of the most unique sights anywhere in the world is the miniature city of Tivoli Gardens that is absolutely certain to awe the young and the young at heart during your visit to Copenhagen. While at the amazingly detailed tiny city, don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on the 1914 wooden roller coaster, Rutsjebanen, which is also known as Bjerg Banen (Mountain Track). If more modern and wilder thrills are your style, The Demon features a Zero-G roll and an Immelmann loop all in two hair raising minutes.

Make certain you wear comfortable shoes as you take a walk along the pedestrian-only street of Strøget. It holds the record for being the most ancient and the longest non-vehicular street in Europe. Danish culture is among the finest in the world and when you’re in the mood for some cultural enrichment, then the Copenhagen Opera House is the place to go for some of the most amazing classical concerts anywhere in Europe.

Yes, it is absolutely true that Copenhagen has absolutely everything you can imagine... even a squatter’s city! Perhaps one of the strangest things about this tourist destination is the city of squatters who have declared independence and have even gone so far as to fly their own flag. This city is located on Christianshavn island and is comprised of squatters dwelling in over 130 deserted barracks previously used by the Danish Army. They have their own stores, community services and even a medical centers, none of which pay rent to anyone.

You can be assured that the rents in the Nyhavn Harbour are considerable as it is widely acknowledged to be the spot for the best beer in Denmark and there is no shortage of tony and trendy pubs, clubs and bars, should you be drawn by the prospect of partying the night away. If you want to savor the original smørrebrød, then Ida Davidsen is the place to go, a charming restaurant in the Sankt Annae Kvarter which has been serving the Danish specialty for five generations. Other fine thoroughly Danish restaurants include the Copenhagen Corner in Vesterbro, the Strandmøllekroen in Klampenborg and the Københavner Caféen downtown. You simply must dine at the downtown Tyvenkokkenhanskoneoghendeselsker for no other reason than to see if you can pronounce it!

Genovese pasta sauce has been Naples' best kept secret for over 400 years. This incredible onion-beef sauce simmers all day long until it's poured over steaming hot pasta and covered in Parmigiano Reggiano. Irresistible!